Basically King wrote the books mentioned because of the criticism of his failure to develop or have believable female characters. Neither book did much to improve that. I always thought he wrote Claiborne as an old man but used a female name.

Koontz did okay recently with From the Corner of His Eye and Odd Thomas. But he threw in a few clunkers recently, too. Watchers will always be on my favorite list.

A few authors I can't wait for anything new from are

Michael Connelly
Harlen Coben
Elizabeth George

I dunno. King definately took a nosedive in recent years, but there are still some good stories there. "The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon" wasn't bad. "Everthing's Eventual" (his latest short fiction collection) had some great stuff. And, of course, the finale to the "Dark Tower" series, "The Dark Tower." I completely enjoyed that book. I won't say it's the best of the series because it'e the most recent on of the series I've read and it was months after "Song of Susannah" (and any of the other), but while I was reading it, it went everywhere with me. Literally, everywhere. I could not put that book down!

Koontz also has some good reading in his recent catalogue. I really enjoyed the "Moonlight Bay" books, "Sieze the Night" and "Fear Nothing." I'm currently reading "The Taking" (came out after "Odd Thomas"). I'll let you all know how it is.

And, of course, the finale to the "Dark Tower" series, "The Dark Tower." I completely enjoyed that book. I won't say it's the best of the series because it'e the most recent on of the series I've read and it was months after "Song of Susannah" (and any of the other), but while I was reading it, it went everywhere with me. Literally, everywhere. I could not put that book down!

just finished 'rise of endymion' by dan simmons. mindblowing conclusion to the hyperion cantos and definitely one of the best books (and series) i have ever read.

i'm starting on book 7, ' the dark tower' tonite and i can't wait. i've heard nothing but good things about this book and the last one set it up pretty well. hopefully it'll be worth the wait.

Recent reads: I can't pick five magazines let alone five books that are best...

The five people you meet in Heaven. Mitch Albom - If you are an athiest or die hard bible Christian or anything in between I challenge you to read this. This is, from a spiritual standpoint, a children's book for adults. He also wrote Tuesdays with Morrie. I haven't read that book yet but heard it's incredible.

Tom Clancy - Without Remorse, Rainbow Six, and Debt of Honor -- I just discovered Clancy. The detail and accuracy is incredible.

Louis L'Amour - End of the drive - Picked it up couldn't put it down.

Get Shorty - Elmore Leonard - Interesting read

One L - Scott Turow (If you are considering law school a must read)

I've actually completed a book, a film script, poetry book, and wrote lyrics for this chic band in Colorado.

I think anyone who reads should sit still on a camping trip and play with writing. It's incredible how many of us have pretty cool stories that we call our daily lives.

If you like to read take a shot at writing. You might be surprised how good your story might be or become.

I really like the kid's book 'because of winn dixie.' It's coming out in a movie, but as a book about a lonely little girl and a mangy mutt, it's really good.

My fav kid's book would be Suess' oh the places you will go. I'm hard pressed to pick a fav juvenile book. I suppose the Potter books.

My personal fav would be 'the world according to Garp.' A Prayer for Owen Meany is, imo, Irving's best, though most would probably say Cider House Rules. Close behind Garp, I'd put A Son of the Circus. I reread that one last year, and I might like it even more than Garp. Hey, a dwarf getting tossed up in the air at a circus and landing in a woman's 'nether' regions, and a serial killer with a homosexaul Indian movie star, is hard to beet for comedy.

Dicken's our mutual friend was great

Elmore Leonard is the master. .... Get Shorty, I guess. I liked Tishimongo Blues, but that's cause its set in my neck of the woods

IMO James Lee Burke writes rings around Leonard. I like his Billy Bob Holland character more than Robeachaux. Cimmeron Rose would be my fav, though the latest IN the Moon of Red Ponies is nice. In the Mist with Confederate Dead is pretty strong too, imo.

But, if you like the genre, it's impossible not to mention Chandler's The Long Goodbye, which was preceeded by Hammett (The Glass Key is prolly his best) and the granddaddy, James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice.

For those who like Sandford and Connely and Coben - Robert Crais in is the same league.

It recounts, in sort of a parallel fashion, the lives & projects of two individuals in Chicago in the early 1890s. One of them was architect Daniel Burnham, who was in charge of building the Chicago World's Fair. Facinating stuff about the politics of the fair - - and everything from engineering problems to labor issues. Notable cameos by many famous sorts - - Buffalo Bill, Thomas Edison, Elias Disney (Walt's dad), George Ferris, Clarence Darrow, Susan B. Anthony, Hellen Keller, Frank Baum, etc., etc.

The other guy, who had his own project underway, was Herman Webster Mudgett, a/k/a Dr. H. H. Holmes, possibly one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, who constructed what was basically a "murder factory" - - practically next door to the fair.

Currently reading Count of Monte Christo for the first time - very good so far.

Recently read:

December 6 (think that's the name - it's a book about an American living in Tokyo in the days before Japan attacks Pearl Harbor - good read)
Fast Food Nation - Absolute Must Read and no it's not a 'gross out' novel
The Perfect Storm - S? Junger
Davinci Code - D. Brown
Angels and Devils - D. Brown
AirFrame - Crighton (horrible book)
Pillars of the Earth - K. Follett
Code to Zero - K. Follett
Non-fiction history of Italy - 1200 BC to present
non-fiction history of Civilization in Gaul

Excellent book. The premise sounds like something from Philip K. Dick...it supposes the the anti-Semitic Charles Lindbergh defeated Roosevelt in the 1940 election. But it has nothing to do with sci-fi. Anyway, it's an excellent read. I'm a big Roth fan. If you've never read him, you absolutely MUST read Portnoy's Complaint at some point. One of the three funniest book I've ever read (Heller's Catch-22 and John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces are the others).

Excellent book. The premise sounds like something from Philip K. Dick...it supposes the the anti-Semitic Charles Lindbergh defeated Roosevelt in the 1940 election. But it has nothing to do with sci-fi. Anyway, it's an excellent read. I'm a big Roth fan. If you've never read him, you absolutely MUST read Portnoy's Complaint at some point. One of the three funniest book I've ever read (Heller's Catch-22 and John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces are the others).

I'm just finishing the third part of the Halfblood Chronicles ("The Elvenbane" "Elvenblood" and "Elvenborn") be Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey. Elves, humans, dragons, magicians, warriors and good plots. What more could you ask? Four and a half stars for the Halfblood Chronicles.

I am reading Dan Brown's "Digital Fortress", so far so good. Aside from the hype, Brown is a great story teller. I have enjoyed all of his books and Angels and Demons is one of the best I have read in the last few years.

Ok, since finishing the Halfblood Chronicles...
"Pure Drivel" - Steve Martin (yes, the actor/comedian). A collections of essays and such published by the "New Yorker." Not too bad. The man may be an idiot, but at least he's an amusing idiot.

"Comitment Hour" - James Allen Gardner. Very good. In a sci-fi world of same ol' same ol Gardner is a breath of fresh air.